Obama Blesses Anti-Gun Biden Run

Hillary Clinton’s inability to gain the public’s trust amidst scandal is keeping the door open for other Democrats to enter the race for president in the 2016 elections.

Now, a “senior Democrat” told CNN that Vice President Joe Biden has received President Obama’s blessing to make a bid for the White House. Biden has been meeting with several Obama fundraisers; it’s conceivable that, there being no love lost between Obama and the Clintons, they’ve kept their powder dry awaiting Obama’s blessing on a successor.

Gun owners know Biden as a staunch, if careless, opponent of gun rights. He was Obama’s choice to head the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, which lost the Senate fight for universal background checks, and he opposed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. He also supports bans on so-called “assault weapons” and standard-capacity magazines, once infamously advising Americans to just “buy a shotgun” and fire it into the air.

A Bowling Green, Ky., police officer was refused service at a Chuck E. Cheese’s restaurant August 19—even though her police polo shirt made her clearly identifiable as a police officer, and even though Kentucky state law expressly allows officers to carry firearms anywhere in the state except federal buildings, whether or not they’re wearing uniforms.

Kentucky law allows businesses to post “No Firearms” signs on their premises. However, “Our firearms policy does not apply to officers in uniform,” a spokeswoman for the restaurant chain told WBKO. “We do have a firearms policy for civilians and off-duty, non-uniformed officers, but officers in uniform are always welcome to bring in their firearms,” she continued, demonstrating her apparent ignorance of state law.

Kentucky has more than 200,000 Right-to-Carry permit holders who can exercise their constitutional rights—and their freedom of choice in dining options—accordingly.

Crime Rises In The Gun-Control Haven Of Cape Town

Having made a concerted effort to implement gun control since 2000, South Africa now maintains very strict gun laws. To legally obtain a gun, the prospective buyer must first undergo a background check that includes an interview with a spouse or partner, as well as two other people. Next is a competency requirement that includes proper training. The applicant then provides a detailed explanation of why he or she should own a firearm. Finally, police have the ultimate say on whether or not a gun license is awarded.

Since we know the cause-and-effect of gun control and crime in the U.S., is it any surprise to hear that Cape Town gun crime is on the rise? Last year, 633 homicides were committed with firearms. Not only are the guns in the hands of criminals only, but with far too few convictions, the bad guys are remaining on the streets where citizens are unarmed and defenseless.

Bloomberg-Funded Group Seeks Maine Referendum On Background Checks

The parents of a murdered Portland woman have joined forces with the Maine Secretary of State’s office and state chapter of Michael Bloomberg’s Moms Demand Action to propose a bill that would allegedly close Maine’s so-called “gun show loophole,” requiring background checks on anyone purchasing firearms at gun shows or from private sellers.

Under the bill, person-to-person transactions would have to be completed with a registered gun dealer who can run a background check through the federal system. However, family members would be exempt and hunters would be allowed to loan firearms as long as the owner is present, or if a gun transfer was necessary “to prevent imminent death or prevent great bodily harm”—a slippery slope indeed.

Sadly, fixing a manufactured “gun show loophole problem” will likely do nothing to prevent future senseless killings. Criminals always find a way to get guns, and universal background checks only infringe on the rights of law-abiding gun owners.

Suppressor Availability Slowly Improving

Ohio residents got the welcome “go-ahead” on suppressor ownership in March, joining 40 other states—the good news. The less-good news is that, like anything that falls under National Firearms Act (and BATFE) control, the wait for approval of paperwork will almost certainly be months. Occasionally, it can be years.

The rationale for expanding suppressor use is that they make all sorts of shooting less disruptive to all manner of bystanders. (A typical one cuts initial report from a literally deafening 145-165 dB to a still-loud 115-130 dB. For comparison, a close-up, very loud shout is 90 dB.) They can also substantially reduce hearing damage: As their growing legion of fans say, using one is “the polite thing to do.”

We hope that BATFE, as promised, will speed up the process allowing purchase of the devices. Considering the $200 fee they receive for every app, surely months or years to approve is unreasonable.

Nashville Robbery And Carjacking Suspect Shot By Victim

Two people had just driven home from a football game and were talking outside a home in north Nashville, Tenn., when a white Jeep Cherokee pulled up near them. 22-year-old Clarence Goins allegedly pointed a firearm at them and demanded that they hand over their valuables, including car keys. A second suspect drove away in the Jeep, and Goins began making his way toward a Chrysler 300 belonging to the victims.

At this point one of the victims drew a firearm, upon which Goins reportedly opened fire. After an exchange of gunfire, Goins died at the scene; police recovered his gun and are looking for the second suspect.